Monday, November 30, 2009:[/u]
Email:1) Chris Hero - I think i should be higher up the card.
2) Road agents - Eddie Kingston is losing heat because you are pushing him too much. [Somehow, he dropped to a 77.]
3) The Messiah - I would like to work with Brent Albright at some stage, i think you'd be impressed with the results. [?!?]
4) Delirious - Austin Aries would be a great opponent for me, how about putting us together in some matches? [Um, no.]
5) We got a 1.70 buy rate for 'Trios Tournament'! The attendance was 17188 people. We made $4250000 from pay-per-view revenue. We made $1031280 from ticket sales.
6) CMLL's 'CMLL Sweet Pain' show was attended by 3230 people! They made $129200 from ticket sales.
7) ECCW's 'November Nitemare' show was attended by 15 people! They made $300 from ticket sales.
8) IWS's 'Born To Bleed' show was attended by 41 people! They made $410 from ticket sales.
9) CW's 'CW Brain Damage' show was attended by 312 people! They made $6240 from ticket sales.
10) IWC got a 1.09 PPV buy rate for 'Accept No Limitations'! The event was attended by 12093 people. They made $2725000 from pay-per-view revenue. They made $725580 from ticket sales.
11) CWL's 'CWL Blackout' show was attended by 145 people! They made $2900 from ticket sales.
12) Sophie - Here is my weekly report on our battle with TNA. They have more star power than us, and that is affecting our image. We are seen as having better workers, and this is causing fans to choose us over them. The fans see us as being the more professional promotion, thanks to our higher production values.
13)
14)
Results for Throwdown
Live from Miami, Florida
1st segment
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After the still-shot recap of Trios Tournament and it's major happenings, ROH Throwdown begins, but not with the usual pyro and hard rock music. Instead, confetti rains down, banners hang from the ceiling with both the Honor Guard and ROH logos, and the music playing is the super-cheesy 70's easy-listening hit “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb. To this, The Honor Guard comes out, led by ROH Chairman Don Callis (being pushed by The Alex Shelley Experience). The group, sans Christopher Daniels, enter the ring; most conglomerate around their boss, but Nigel McGuinness stands off to the side, leaning against a turnbuckle with his arms crossed.
Callis: Ladies and gentlemen, before we get down to business, at this time, please allow me the singular pleasure of introducing the man who made tonight possible. He is a man for whom there is no equal in this ring, a fact which he proved last night. He is a peerless technical wrestler, a founding father of this company, a man I consider myself lucky to consider a friend, and most important, the man who emerged last night, victorious in unquestionable fashion, as the one, true undisputed champion … give it up for Christopher Daniels!
Daniels steps through the curtain, holding the belt above his head and gesturing to himself, loudly proclaiming he's the champion, showing absolutely no humility whatsoever. When he gets to the ring, he's greeted by a row of handshakes (except for McGuinness, who won't come out of the corner), until he gets to Callis. Like a subordinate approaching a Mafia boss, Daniels goes down on bended knee in front of the wheelchair-bound.
Callis: Christopher, without you and your efforts last night, we would not be standing here tonight. You are our savior, our champion and our shining example. You and you alone did this. You bow to no man. Not even me.
Daniels stands and embraces Callis. After some more back-patting and congratulatory gestures from the Guard, Callis gets back on the stick.
Callis: Tonight, Ring Of Honor is whole again! Tonight, we are proud to say the dispute over the title of who is the “true champion” is over! Tonight marks a rebirth for Ring Of Honor the likes of which this company has never seen! Tonight, we embark on the road that will redefine this company for generations to come! Now, to begin such a journey, hard choices must be made. Some will no doubt be met with initial resistance … but some, I believe, will be received with open arms! So let's start with the hard work, shall we? [Callis clears his throat.] Regarding one Mr. Kingston … he will
not be in action tonight, and in fact, he is not here tonight. I've given Mr. Kingston the night off. [This is met with boos.] Now, now, people, please, please. I promise this show will be as star-studded as possible, and will not lack for action in any way. You have to understand that Mr. Kingston had … shall we say … an unfortunate night last night. [Callis can't hide his smirk, and doesn't even try.] Out of the goodness of my heart, I have decided to afford him a couple days off, so as to lick his wounds. Likewise, as Mr. Kingston was unsuccessful in his attempts last night, the ramifications of his abject failure necessitate some further changes to the organization of our roster. [Manning: Could he sound any more like a corporate memo?] Effective immediately, I am ordered the disbanding of Mr. Heyman's insurrectionist cabal known as The Line In The Sand. [HEAVY boos at that and a chant of “Fuck you Callis”.] Please, I know these are unpleasant and surprising changes I am asking for, but they will make for the betterment of ROH in the long run! The – [The booing and chanting becomes overwhelming, forcing Callis to wait it out.] As I was saying, there is method to my madness. Mr. Heyman's attempted insurrection and the war it caused is over, as of last night. There is no need to perpetrate it by allowing the existence of his rebel alliance to continue, when we have a true war on our hands with Trish Stratus and her Family! To that end, I vow before you tonight that I will stop at
nothing to put an end to her terroristic threats once and for all! We must be a united front if we are to withstand and turn back her vile, contemptible charges once and for all! In the coming weeks, I will outline a plan to eradicate her Family. We will not stand idly by and watch this cancer consume us as the outsider cancer almost did! Now, speaking of the fairer sex – a term that couldn't be more
inappropriate for Ms. Stratus – we have the fledgling women's division that Mr. Heyman was so gracious enough to hang around our necks like an albatross. It would bring me no greater joy than to abort Mr. Heyman's vision of a women's championship right here and now. But in the past 24 hours, I've been apprised of [long pause and a bit of a sneer on Callis' face] … shall we say, market forces I cannot ignore. [Manning: The network, no doubt!] It would be remiss of me to dismiss the women's market entirely, so, Ring Of Honor will move forward with a women's division and championship, to be crowned at Final Battle! And, once we are able to bolster the roster beyond the handful of wrestlers we have now, Breakout will become an all-women's show! And on the subject of new employment, I have one more piece of news to bring to you all. As you know, we are an ever growing promotion; the world's greatest talent looks to step through our doors and compete, but only the best of the best of the best can hope to get the chance. Recently, I've been in contact with no less than
six well-known wrestlers, three of whom are ROH alumni, looking to measure themselves against the world's greatest competition! How would you feel about seeing William Regal in an ROH ring?
What about Chris Jericho? [More applause for that.] How about Brock Lesnar? [Another thunderous boom from the crowd.] I'm excited to announce I've been in contract with representatives for all three men, and all have expressed interest in coming to ROH! But that's not all! As I said, I've spoken to three former roster members about coming back to the fold. Men like AJ Styles! Samoa Joe! [Another big reaction.] And CM Punk! [One more explosion from the crowd.] All six of these men have contracts with their current employers nearing their end, and it's my intention to bring them all here! [Manning: That's huge news! Any one of those six is a coup! Getting more than one would be unprecedented!] Now, enough about long-term plans. Tonight, we have pressing issues, three of them, in fact. The first is that the preview sent out to the network was a draft, not the final card, done by some upset office staff who favored a different outcome last night and wanted ROH to look foolish as they take their first step as a reborn company. Nevertheless, there will be some changes, and as time is of the essence and I've eaten up so much of it, I will spare you the details and let the announce team do so at their leisure. Secondly, there is this lingering issue of the Trios Tournament prize. I understand that, traditionally, the winning team can, shall we say, “call their shots” whenever they so choose. The business with The Family, however, must be top-of-mind. I cannot allow last night's victorious team to be roaming freely like The Family with a weapon of mass destruction in their back pockets. I want these Trios picks done and out of the way so we may all put our focus on what so richly deserves it. To that end, I am decreeing that Mr. Whitmer, Mr. Burchill and Mr. Ruckus must announce their intentions tonight or forfeit their prizes, and they must be used no later than Final Battle. Last piece of business, and I do apologize for taking up so much of your time. Tonight was advertised without a main event, and I do apologize for that. You understand, of course, that due to last night's unique circumstances, it was hard to book talent when we weren't sure we'd be in business 24 hours later. After careful consideration, however, I can now tell you tonight will be headlined by a championship defense! Yes, the Ring Of Honor World Tag Team Championships will be defended tonight against Scott Colton and Nigel McGuinness!
Colton's head whips around to look at Callis, eyebrows raised. McGuinness finally stirs from the corner, walking over to Callis, ripping the mic from his hands.
McGuinness: You've got to be right out of your bloody skull! If you think for one second I'm partnering with this pillow-biter once more, I--
Callis snatches the mic back from McGuinness and glowers at him. Colton tries talking to Callis, but one look from Callis shuts down Colton's mouth.
Callis: You two will work together. You will bring home those championships. Or you will suffer the consequences. Have I made myself clear? [Colton looks like he's going to say something, but just stops. McGuinness starts to leave the ring.] If you're thinking of leaving, Mr. McGuinness, let me remind you of something. The stipulation attached to last night's unification match about employee retention only applied to the promotion that got absorbed. [McGuinness turns around and glares daggers at Callis.] In case you've been hit in the head one too many times to get that, let me break it down for you. Only Mr. Heyman's traitorous lemmings have safe harbor through 2009. Those who stayed loyal to the ROH banner have no such protection. You are among those ranks … and you have proven to be a rebellious, recalcitrant nuisance on the best of days, and an incompetent, incapable failure on the worst of them. I'd just as soon as be rid of you, but Ring Of Honor needs every soldier it can get for The Family. However, if you step through those ropes, I'll not hesitate to make sure it's be the last time you ever do it in my ring. Understand? [McGuinness doesn't respond fast enough for Callis' liking.] DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!? [Reluctantly, McGuinness comes back and stands with his “brothers”, shoulders slumped and looking defeated.] I expect you to carry your weight, Mr. McGuinness. And you, Scott … do your job.
Quality:
Crowd:
Overall: 91
2nd segment
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The first match of the re-unified Ring Of Honor, oddly enough, is a rematch of a couple months back, pitting the two founders of Chikara against each other. Carter, coming off a cheap loss against Davey Richards at Clash Of The Champions II, looks focused as he enters the ring. Ironically, MQS, coming off a strong last-second win against Bryan Danielson the same night, looks angry, almost like he resents being here.
As soon as the bell rings, the depths of MQS’ anger is exposed; his normally crisp, surgically precise mat wrestling is almost abandoned in favor of Attitude-era fisticuffs. At first, Carter isn’t prepared for MQS’ brutal and unscientific onslaught, but it doesn’t take long to adjust and fight back. In fact, as Carter makes the adjustments to stifle MQS’ brawling and capitalize on the holes in his game, MQS’ frustration grows and he gets even more reckless. At one point, MQS lands a couple punches and tries to go for a springboard attack, but Carter is not nearly dazed enough to take it; Carter catches him in mid-air with an ace crusher.
But perhaps more surprising is that, only a couple minutes later, MQS tries to go the well again with a springboard move. This time, Carter side-steps MQS. MQS turns and swings; Carter ducks under, hooks the arms and goes for a backslide … and amazingly, gets the three-count!
Manning: King, I’m not trying to take anything away from Tom Carter. He’s a great athlete. But one does not just backslide MQS and get a three-count! What’s eating at Michael Quackenbush Spillane that has him so distracted, he ate a pinfall on a backslide?!
Lawler: You never apologize for a win, Manning! MQS wasn’t on his game tonight, and Tom Carter was there to take advantage!
Carter rolls out and puts on the spare headset, talking before Manning or Lawler can ask questions.
Carter: I don’t care what the front office says … that man in the ring is a former world champ, and I just pinned him, clean as a sheet in the middle of the ring. Can you do that, Davey? Cause you couldn’t even pin me without your little super-fan’s help! We’re not done, Davey. Not by a long shot!
Carter takes off the headset and leaves, arms in the air. MQS, meanwhile, is nowhere near as composed when he leaves the ring; he rolls out on the announcer’s table side and kicks the steel steps apart. He then strips the announce table and slams the monitors down. When the ref comes out to try and get MQS to go to the back, MQS shoves him to the ground. Finally, after letting loose with a scream of rage, MQS leaves, but not before attacking a cameraman who gets a little too close, shoving him to the ground, snatching the camera and bashing it to pieces over the barricade. ****1/4
Winner: Tom Carter (pinfall, backslide)
Quality: 97
Crowd: 78
Overall: 87
3rd segment
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When Throwdown returns, Taz is in the ring.
Taz: Alright folks, right now, big, big news for ya … please welcome a close friend of mine, he’s a former world champ, and he’s a giant in this business even if he don’t look it! Put it together for Rey Mysterio!
The man who helped turn
lucha libre into a household word in the United States comes out to a good pop. Aside from his mask, however, he's in street clothes. Taz and Mysterio embrace in a manly, back-clapping hug. Taz gives Mysterio a mic.
Taz: Rey, you and me go back like car seats. ECW, WWE … we known each other a
long time, brother. I just wanna say, before I give you the stage to say your piece, that I’m honored you’d ask me to be here for this. Means the world to me, man.
Mysterio hugs Taz once again, talking off mic, before Taz leaves Mysterio in the ring. The crowd gives Mysterio a round of applause and chanting his name, keeping him from saying whatever it is he has to say …
… and just as he’s about to say something, somebody else steals the opportunity: Brent Albright, who storms the ring and gets right in Mysterio’s face, snatching the mic from his hand.
Albright: Lemme guess. You were gonna say you’re retiring, right? Or taking off the mask? Some stupid crap all these people will drink up and clap for like circus seals. [Albright gestures to himself.] But not me. You’re another guy, coasting on name value, keeping guys like me from making our dreams come true. You left another company after they set you up with a pity-run as champ because of a dead friend [the crowd recoils at that; Albright has to pause to allow the booing]. And you came here expecting … what? Red carpet treatment? You’ve done
nothing here to earn it! Well, I’m not gonna stand here and watch you fell—
Albright’s words trail off as he catches sight over Mysterio’s shoulder of what everybody else has seen for a few seconds: Tyler Black on the arena floor. Stage-side is Jimmy Jacobs, by the announce table is Edge, and on the hard camera side is Kevin Steen. And all are armed, but not with the normal items found in pro wrestling's arsenal. Black’s steel chair has barbed wire wrapped all around the back and seat. Edge has a baseball bat, and somehow affixed to the top of it is a cheese grater. Steen’s hands are wrapped and covered in broken glass, as if he’s competing in a Taipei Deathmatch. Only Jacobs’ weapon is the same, his trusty railroad spike. And rather than the sick expressions of joy they normally wear before their carnage, The Family all look lethally serious. The Family give Albright and Mysterio just long enough to understand what’s about to happen – long enough to consider the hellish fate that's only heartbeats away – before invading the ring and turning it into a slaughterhouse.
In no time at all, the ring mat is stained in blood. As The Family deliver Mysterio and Albright into unknown realms of pain, Trish Stratus finally appears, coming over the barricade with the help of the masked assassin. Like her Family, there’s none of the playful madness in her eyes. Only a bottomless well of fury. She takes a mic and stands in front of the announce table, watching her men rend their victims limb from limb, yelling at her Family like a harpy.
Stratus: More! More! I want that mat red from corner to corner! I want to hear a symphony made of snapping bones and the screams of agony! Cripple anybody that tries to interfere with my beautiful music! No more heroes!
NO MORE HEROES!The words of Stratus seem to drive The Family into an even higher gear of blood-thirst and frenzy, and it all gets focused on Mysterio (Albright being dumped over the top like a bag of garbage). The former world champion is deliberately tortured by The Family, who make sure every moment of pain feels like a lifetime. Steen delivers a series of glass-covered-forearm shots to Mysterio's back; Edge doesn't drag the cheese grater on his face so much as grind it into the flesh of the forehead. Black ups the ante by putting his chair under Mysterio's throat and slamming it and his head down into the mat, guillotining Mysterio into the chair.
Stratus: How arrogant do you have to be to announce, in front of millions of people, that
you are going to wage war on The Family? Have you not noticed we've
been at war? Or do you really
want this to get worse? I don’t think you know how far I’m willing to go, Chairman Callis. I don't think your mind can even pretend to imagine how far we are willing to go. But I will show you now. I will burn your new empire to the ground before you have the time to get your new office furnished. I will make you wish your puppet champion lost last night, because I won’t let you dictate this war. I will bring an ocean of blood crash on your beaches. And we start
tonight, with Rey Mysterio. No more heroes, Don. You won’t have time to send your very best. I will send your most bold-hearted men
running to file their retirement papers, Chairman. Once the world sees our demonstration,
nobody will be willing to fight for you. We’ll take out your elite and your A-plus players one … by one … by one … by one. We'll take them out and they'll
never come back. By the time you know what hit you, you'll have circled the wagons around an empty camp. [Stratus turns her focus to her Family again.] Now, my men … my Family … my beautiful Family …
end him.
Manning: What in the hell does that mean?
Manning's question is answered very quickly, as The Family take Mysterio out of the ring; Edge strips the announce table of the monitors and dressing, and then stacks a few chairs onto the table, topping it off with Black's barbed wire chair. Black gets up on the table and they feed him Mysterio. Over the cries of Manning and Lawler, Black picks up Mysterio and drops him into the mountain of wood and steel with God's Last Gift. Mysterio goes crashing through, the table exploding underneath. Once Black is able to get to his feet, Stratus makes the call for her Family to depart, leaving Mysterio bleeding, unconscious and looking like the victim of a plane crash. But before going, she takes to the stick once more. Her angelic-yet-demonic tone is back, as is the wistfully haunting gleam in her eyes.
Stratus: Like a row of dominoes, Don … little dominoes, all in row … falling, like your ivory towers will … do you see it, Don? Do you see it in your mind? One by one, the dominoes fall … one by one, we knock them over … tonight is the first. It won't be the last, not until the slate is clean, Don. There will be blood. Blood like a river. And it will wash away your champions and flood your lungs.
Quality:
Crowd:
Overall: 82
4th segment
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When Throwdown comes back, Manning and Lawler are seated at a destroyed table.
Manning: Ladies and gentlemen, during the commercial break, EMT's took away Brent Albright and Rey Mysterio. We're told Albright's wounds are all superficial – cuts, scrapes, lacerations, things that will heel. But Rey Mysterio may have suffered more severe –
Manning's injury report is cut off by the appearance of Ruckus, who comes down to the ring looking ready to kill anybody who would be dumb enough to get in the way. He circles the ring and grabs a mic from the timekeeper, not bothering to get in the ring to deliver his tirade.
Ruckus: Last night, me and BJ and Paul, we done fought to the last second, and it don't matter how we won … point is, we won. We took the hurt, we took the pain, and we took what The Family could dish out, and we sent those sick sons a bitches home! And that means … and that means I get to name my ticket for Final Battle! Anything I want! I could get some payback on that fat sack of [bleep] Kevin Steen for stoppin' my winnin' streak! [This gets some applause.] Yeah, I want a piece of him, but why stop there? I could go big, put myself in a match with Chris Daniels, get myself a shot at that ROH World Title …
Thought y'all'd like that. And don't get me wrong. I want dat gold. I want it, like a junkie wants a hit. [Ruckus looks at the camera, his face plain and stark.] But my day's gon' come. Any day I set foot in this ring, I make everybody remember who I am, what I do, why can't nobody touch me on they best day and my worst, and how I can take a title shot any [bleep]in' night I want it. So I ain't doin' that. Naw, what I'm doin' … for once in my life, I'm doin' what the boss-man wants. The boss says it's a war now, and you damn right, it is time for a mother[bleep]in' war! I'm takin' the fight to The Family! All a' dem punk mother[bleep]ers! That punk-ass bitch Edge … that scrawny little pissant Jimmy … the fat sack of [bleep] Kevin … mama's boy Tyler … maybe even that dude in the mask, if he got the rocks to get in the ring. I want the whole damned thing, every one of 'em. I want 'em, I wanna make 'em bleed, I wanna make 'em hurt, and I wanna send 'em cryin' home to suck on mommy Trish's big ol' milk-sacks like the baby bitches they is! I want 'em … and I know the locker room's got half a dozen guys, maybe more, wanna cut off a piece of them. Cage? He want 'em. Hardy want 'em bad. 'Cide wants 'em. Am-Drag wants 'em. HBK, Kingston, Burchill, Hero … all these guys got reason to wanna draw blood. I know a guy who sittin' at home right now, pickin' splinters outta his eye, and he won't stop at blood! I know I can find me four crazy sons-a-bitches who'd take some to give some more. So Trish, why don't ya get ya boys together, ya bald little bitch-ass ho', cause me and my crew gots a date you and yours at Final Battle. You want a war? You got a war … War Games!
Quality:
Crowd:
Overall: 74
5th segment
Manning: Okay, I'm being told we have a match now that wasn't on the show preview The CW put out … it's a #1 contender's match for the ROH Bold Future Championship, King!
Lawler: So who's wrestling?
The first competitor is revealed no sooner than Lawler finishes his sentence; preceded by his manager, Truth Martini, “The Iron Czar” Boris Alexiev steps through the curtain. The no-nonsense Russian MMA master can barely contain himself, swaying back and forth like a character in a fighter video game, hands at the ready as he awaits his opponent (while Martini rubs his shoulders and talks up a good game). He doesn't have to wait long, as his opponent, The Night Shadow, wastes no time, walking straight to the ring. The Shadow stands perfectly still, hands at his sides, like some kind of slasher movie monster, regarding him with neither contempt nor respect.
The Shadow adapts well to Alexiev's MMA-style wrestling, using his own mat wrestling against it to stuff takedowns and get out of simple submission holds like armbars and headlocks. After a good five minutes of cat-and-mouse balance and Martini having a near-coronary as he watches his prize client get neutralized, Martini calls Alexiev out to consult. After a lengthy stall, Alexiev rolls back in and focuses on a striking strategy. But that doesn't get him any further, as Shadow shows no fear mixing it up with his fists. He's not nearly as surgical or versatile as Alexiev is, but what he lacks in science, he makes up for in sheer toughness, taking a licking and dishing it right back. After a few more minutes of fighting to a stalemate, Alexiev rolls out again, kicking the steel steps in frustration. Martini tries to get him to focus, but Alexiev is too angry at being “hoo-miliated” to listen to his manager.
The Shadow takes the choice out of their hands by doing a running plancha into both of them. The Shadow whips Alexiev into the turnbuckle and is about to go to work when Martini comes up from behind. The Shadow turns around in time, sending Martini scrambling backwards so fast, he falls on his ass. But Shadow spends too much time scaring Martini, giving Alexiev the chance to come from behind and throw the Shadow into the steps. Alexiev knees the Shadow a few times in the face, then gets down and just pounds him with unscientific fists, all the while ignoring Martini's yelling about the count. Finally, Alexiev rolls in, but it's too late; the ring announcer proclaims the match a double count-out. Alexiev fumes and fusses, and Martini begs for a restart, but it's no use, leaving Steen without a designated challenger for the immediate future. **3/4
Winner: double count-out
Quality: 85
Crowd: 60
Overall: 72
6th segment
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The music of Shawn Michaels pops the crowd, but Steven Manning makes mention that Michaels and Joey Ryan aren't scheduled yet. The cheers quickly turn to boos when the crowd sees it isn't HBK, but Matt Sydal, dressed in Michaels-style ring gear and an ugly, thinning wig. Sydal hobbles to a stop at the top of the ramp, tries to drop to his knees, but is in “too much pain” to do it comfortably. Instead, he waits, holding his back, for his tag team partner. Nobody is buying it when “The Great Gate at Kiev” hits, especially when Jerry Lawler is sitting at ringside. Of course, Jack Evans comes out, wearing a Burger King crown and Lawler-style ring gear. Together, the two make their way to the ring like they're crippled with arthritis.
Sydal: The only thing harder that convincing people I'm not going bald is convincing people I can cut it here in Ring Of Honor! [Lots of boos for that.] I must be the highest-paid jobber in wrestling history! I'm so old and washed up, I dragged down Jerry Lawler! And he's gotta be, what, a hundred? One-ten? How old are ya, Jerry?
Jerry. [Again, Sydal pauses for a response that never comes.] JERRY!
Evans: [startles, shambles over] Eh?
Sydal: [shouting] HOW OLD ARE YOU?
Evans: Eh, I could use a sweater!
Sydal: No, no, old. Your age. What's your age?
Evans: Cage? You challenging me to a cage match, boy?
Evans tries to pull down the straps, but the “arthritis” gets the better of him. Sydal tries to help get the straps down, but Evans-as-Lawler takes offense and throws a punch so slow, it looks like it's been slowed down using bullet-time special effects. Somehow, it still “connects” with Sydal, and he sells it like he's been shot in the face with a tactical nuke, flying back and tumbling backwards until he lands on his ass. Sydal scrambles to the corner, pulls his knees up and cradles himself, “sobbing” hysterically. Sydal screams incoherently about “not hacking it” and being “too old”, while Evans continues his insulting imitation of senile dementia by wandering out of the ring and being amused by the timekeeper's bell.
Manning: Are you gonna do anything about this, Jerry? They're spitting in your face!
Lawler: What these punks want is attention, Steven. I'm not giving it to them.
Manning: Yes, but – [The audience explodes as two men come storming through the curtains and running for the ring.] King! It's Brian Kendrick and Scott Lost!
No sooner can Manning say it than Kendrick and Lost are taking the fight to a woefully unprepared Evans and Sydal. It doesn't take long for The Elite to go running for cover, leaving Kendrick and Lost behind. The Elite talk trash from the safety of fifty feet away on the stage, but it's Kendrick and Lost who pick up the sticks and make their voices heard.
Lost: All you do is run your mouth and put the blame on everybody else when you lose, and make fun of everybody you beat! You wanna talk trash about a legend like Jerry Lawler? A man that's wrestled for more championships than you'll ever do?
Kendrick: You wanna talk smack about a man who I call a mentor and a friend? Shawn Michaels is a good man, an honest man, a man of God. He wrestles because he loves it, not for paychecks like you two clowns! That BS we just saw, that crossed the line! And you're gonna pay for it! We get our hands on you, and you're gonna wish you'd never opened your mouths!
The Elite continue to run their mouths, but from their back-pedaling, it's obvious they're not interested in getting what's coming to them. Throwdown goes to commercial on Kendrick and Lost, so furious at The Elite's offensive skit that they're shaking with rage and almost shooting rage-lasers with their stares.
Quality:
Crowd:
Overall: 63
Notes: Brian Kendrick lost overness from this segment. Scott Lost lost overness from this segment. Matt Sydal lost overness from this segment. Jack Evans lost overness from this segment. [DAMN.]
7th segment:
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Throwdown returns with a little face time for the announcers, and Shawn Michaels and Joey Ryan in the ring.
Manning: Well, King, I'm sort of at a loss as to what happens next. We were supposed to have The Elite taking on Shawn Michaels and Joey Ryan. But from what I'm being told, Matt Sydal and Jack Evans left the building!
Lawler: Good bye and good riddance, far as I'm concerned!
Manning: I'm not crying, but that leaves the two men in the ring without--
The Guns 'n' Roses cover of “I Don't Care About You” fills the arena, signaling the arrival of Bastard Nation. The pair of angry young men come down the aisle, slide in the ring and take the mic from the ring announcer.
Arik Cannon: Those guys need opponents. We want a couple of stiffs to take a piss on. [Ryan points at himself and says “I'm a stiff?!”.]
Chuck Taylor: We had a real bad night last night. And we're gonna take it out on you.
Ryan accepts for his team, but it's clear from the get-go that Ryan is the only one on his side with any investment in the match. With the object of his scorn burning rubber on a local highway, Michaels has as much interest in the match as getting his fingernails pulled out, and it shows in his wrestling. He puts in the absolute minimum amount of effort possible to even be considered a participant, and what he does do is unfocused and unhelpful to the cause. Cannon and Taylor need little effort to pick apart their opponents over the course of seven minutes. Taylor is able to connect with Sole Food on Michaels on a ducked (and rushed) Sweet Chin Music attempt, while Cannon takes care of Ryan during the pin.
Once Bastard Nation have left, arms raised and celebrating, Ryan tries to confront Michaels about his anemic contribution to the match. For a moment, there's a fire in Michaels' eyes, as if he's about ready to lose his cool on Ryan. But it blows over and he rolls out. Ryan even tries getting on the stick and calling Michaels back to the ring to talk it out, but Michaels doesn't even hint at turning back. Ryan is left alone in the ring, his frustration burning him from the inside as Throwdown goes to commercial. **1/4
Winners: Bastard Nation (pinfall, Chuck Taylor pins Shawn Michaels, Sole Food)
Quality: 75
Crowd: 74
Overall: 74
Notes: Joey Ryan was sluggish and didn't put much effort in. Arik Cannon gained overness from this match.
8th segment
Throwdown returns, this time on the sunglasses-ensconced face of Taz, backstage at the interview area.
Taz: Folks, right now joining me is one of the three men who won Trios Tournament last night. He's a technical wrestler without equal. It's “The Ripper” Paul Burchill! [Burchill steps into frame, shaking Taz's hand.] Paul, last night, you guys took a hell of a beating by The Family, and The Lone Wolves gave everything and then some, but you came out on top. You got the opportunity to write your own ticket for Final Battle. What's going through your head?
Burchill: Taz, you know as well as anybody in this business that what you did yesterday is ancient history. Winning Trios Tournament is an amazing feeling and an incredible accomplishment. Our competition were some of the best wrestlers in the world. But that was yesterday, Taz. Today's a new day, and as you said, winning that tournament gave me the opportunity to write my own ticket for Final Battle. If I squander it, if I waste my opportunity on some quixotic fantasy match, or take on some impossible foe, the victory that BJ Whitmer, Ruckus and myself earned last night will have been for naught.
Taz: So … what's your ticket gonna be? Who are you gonna face at Final Battle?
Burchill: Well, isn't that the elephant in the room, Taz? I got into this business because I wanted to be the very best wrestler in the world. I've made my share of enemies in that ring, and there are more than a few where I would love to drive my boot through the back of their head. There's any number of wrestlers in that locker room who are considered among the world's finest wrestlers, and I could use my opportunity to measure myself against them. Or I could put Mr. Callis over a barrel and make him break open his wallet to procure the services of some five-star free agent, like The Undertaker or Jeff Hardy. [Burchill chuckles and smirks.] But that wouldn't prove anything, would it? You don't get to call yourself the best by beating anybody but the best. [Burchill smirks again.] I think there's a bloke who said something like that once or twice, about beating the man? [The crowd pops for that.]
Taz: So … are you saying what I think you're saying?
Burchill: Taz, the facts speak for themselves. You're not the best in this business, full stop, unless you have in your hands the gold to back it up. I can't say I'm the best until I can prove it. And there's a man I've already proven it with twice … but because of corporate chicanery, he still gets to walk around calling himself a champion. [The crowd is already buzzing, knowing where this is going.] Christopher Daniels, I'm talking about you, sunshine. Twice you've dodged a bullet … it won't happen a third time … [Burchill holds up three fingers.] Two out of three falls, my friend. No interference, no count-outs, just competition. If you're the better man, you'll have to prove it twice. And I'll be damned if I let you even prove it once.
Quality:
Crowd:
Overall: 84
9th segment
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The match is announced as a non-title affair, but both Kevin Steen and Bobby Roode approach the ring wearing expressions that say they're treating the match with all the gravity they can muster. And with the #1 contender's match earlier having ended without a winner, Manning and Lawler speculate Roode could cut to the front of the line with a win.
From the moment the bell rings, Roode and Steen let it all hang out. With both men being strong and intense, it's almost like watching a mirror match. Roode shows no fear in standing and trading chops with Steen, the chests of both men turned beet red in seemingly moments. They're also equal on the mat, and after a couple minutes of reversals or no-selling, the match becomes very NOAH in flavor, with Roode and Steen daring each other to hit the other with their toughest move. This lasts a couple minutes, until Steen goes for an F-Cinq, only for Roode to drop down behind and hits the Northern Lariat.
But the pinfall attempt is broken up by Roderick Strong, who runs down, pulls Roode out by the foot and throws him into the steel steps. The ref signals for the disqualification, but a ringing bell doesn't do anything to stop Strong's assault of Roode. The Honor Guard's silent assassin punches Roode and slams his head into the steel steps a few times before hitting a running kick to Roode's face. Strong dislodges the steel steps and is setting up to hit the Gibson Driver on the steps when Steen rolls out.
Manning: Steen with a low blow from behind to Strong! Steen must be made about the disqualification loss! PACKAGE POWERBOMB BY STEEN INTO THE STEEL STEPS! Strong is a corpse on a slab thanks to Kevin Steen! Wait, he's not done … no, Roode's had enough punishment! F-CINQ ONTO THE BARRICADE! Steen has laid waste to his opponent
and his opponent's rival!
Lawler: Trish Stratus said there'd be no more heroes, Manning! Her Family doesn't care who you are! Get in their way and you're in the crossfire! **1/2
Winner: Bobby Roode (disqualification, interference)
Quality: 78
Crowd: 73
Overall: 75
10th segment
Tag match, one fall, for the ROH World Tag Team Championships
[/center]
The challengers are introduced first for the main event of the evening, and to say there's tension between Nigel McGuinness and Scott Colton is an understatement along the lines of “Michael Jordan was okay at basketball”. The only thing they have in common is that both are drawing on a bottomless well of disdain for each other. The champions, obviously, are in sync with each other, and as soon as the match is underway, the differences become apparent. Any expectation of Colton and McGuinness being a super-team because of their successful singles careers is laid to rest in a few short minutes; individually, Colton and McGuinness are strong competitors, but the Brigade are able to use their disharmony against them. And even when Chairman Callis comes out to give McGuinness the glare of death, all it does is make McGuinness save Colton very reluctantly, and with the minimum necessary effort to keep Colton in the game. Likewise, when Colton tags in McGuinness and the Englishman needs help, Colton's assistance is at the gunpoint of Callis' harsh stare.
And even when they manage to take control of the match, it isn't for long, and it isn't a classic team dynamic. There's no quick tags, no team offense, and no Horsemen-style isolation; when McGuinness has control, he works it by himself. He manages to keep Josh Prohibition on the defensive for a good five minutes, time spent with Colton doing everything short of begging to get in the ring (to take the glory for himself). When Prohibition manages to turn a Tower Of London attempt into a modified tornado reverse DDT, Colton gets his chance to establish an advantage on Matt Cross. The size and strength advantage help, but Colton's only able to hold it together for a couple minutes before Cross makes the comeback. Callis has to do all but threaten McGuinness' life to for him to go in and help Colton, but Cross is on fire and can't be put out.
That is, until, Cross goes for a senton bomb on McGuinness. Colton, having knocked Prohibition off the apron and into the barricade, is there when Cross stands up from the senton bomb, and nails the One-Shot Kill.
Manning: That's it! We're looking at new champions! Nobody gets up from that!
Lawler: Look, Manning! Colton's not going for the pin! And what's Callis doing?
The camera catches Callis raising an arm, fist extended, thumb up … and then, he turns it downward. Before Manning has time to ask the question, Colton scoops McGuinness off the mat and drills him with the One-Shot Kill! Colton leaves the ring and pushes Callis up the ramp, not even sparing a look back.
Manning: King, what did we just see? What did Don Callis just do?
Lawler: I think we just saw Don Callis kick Nigel McGuinness out of The Honor Guard!
Manning: This was a set-up all along! Don Callis set up Nigel McGuinness tonight to be beaten and executed at the hands of Scott Colton! After being a loyal soldier for the past year, this is the gratitude Nigel McGuinness gets! Don Callis is a sad, pathetic excuse for a human being! ***
Winners: thrown out
Quality: 83
Crowd: 80
Overall: 81
Notes: Nigel McGuinness's turn was completed, and he is now a face. Nigel McGuinness gained overness from this turn.
11th segment
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As the clock strikes 11, Throwdown's final segment begins with Chairman Don Callis already in the ring, sitting in his wheelchair, microphone in hand. He has a smile ear to ear as he prepares to speak … but never gets the chance, as Skid Row's “Mudkicker” hits. Callis' face twists into a hateful sneer and he starts yelling at Chris Hero before he's even halfway down the ramp.
Callis: No, no, no, no, no! You're not ruining this like you ruined the Trios Tournament! Get back in the locker room, you dime-store hoodlum! Get back! This is
my show! I will personally see to it that-- [Hero snatches the microphone out of Callis' hand, then squats down in front of Callis.]
Hero: I know from having a niece and a nephew that you should get down on their level to talk to them. There's a sort of psychological comfort factor, ya know? So, since you're all the way down here in this chair, and you obviously flunked out of kindergarten or whatever they call it in Canada, I'm gonna do you that favor too, mmkay? Great, super. Okay--
Callis: I will not be condescended to! I will--
Callis' rant stops very quickly as Hero snatches up Callis' tie and jerks the “crippled” chairman closer.
Hero: Aww, see what happens when you spoil my peaceful frame of mind? And you know what's really awesome about this? It'll take a good thirty seconds for your goon squad to show up. Imagine what I can do in thirty seconds! You wanna find out? [Callis shakes his head emphatically and yells out “stay back” to his troops.] Yeah, I didn't think so. Now you're gonna sit there while I conduct some business. Really, I'm answering a question. A question I've heard from guys in the back, they're asking it in the forums online, social media, it's everywhere. But to do that … [Hero turns and looks up at the stage] I need somebody else out here. BJ Whitmer, come on down here.
“The beating heart of Ring Of Honor” comes down the aisle to a thunderous pop. When Whitmer enters the ring, he doesn't even give the time of day; all his attention is on Chris Hero.
Hero: BJ … straight talk only here, no BS, okay? Listen, I know you been thinking it since last night. Orton asked me … Cage asked me … guys who weren't even in the match asked me. Internet, airports, car rental place, it's everywhere. One word on everybody's lips: why? Why would I give up the win to a guy I spent a year putting through the ringer? Well … [Hero shrugs.] You bailed me out a few months back, so, I kinda owe ya. [Shrugs again.] No, seriously … I mean, yeah, that's been weighing on me, but that's whatever. The big thing is that … [Hero sighs] Listen, I don't know what everybody's expecting, but the fact is, it was the right thing to do. What I want … I can bury Claudio any time I want. His ego's not gonna let me go running around forever. But what you wanna do … after last night, we need it. I honest-to-God didn't think Daniels had it in him to beat Kingston, but he did. Kingston buckled. He couldn't get the job done back in June, he lost the belt back in September, and he dropped the ball last night, when we all needed him to charge the lane the most. We need somebody to step up right now … to do what needs to be done … and for some crazy reason I'll never understand, you
want to be that guy. What I want will make me happy. What
you[/u]want … if you get it, you make
everybody in that locker room better for it. Me, Ruckus, MQS, MDK, Joey Ryan;
everybody wins. Well, except for Professor X here, but who cares about him. When I saw how much you'd risk for that last night … I couldn't stand in the way. Call me weak, say I've gone soft, whatever. You're a man who is willing to fight through anything for everybody here … and all I was willing to fight for was me. That's what I want, but that's not what we need. So, uh, yeah. That's all I got. Just, uh, you know, don't screw it up, okay?
Hero walks up to Whitmer and puts the mic in Whitmer's hand. He starts to walk away, but Whitmer grabs his arm. Hero stops and turns, looking Whitmer dead in the eyes, unsure of what's about to happen.
Whitmer: Chris, nobody's ever gonna call you soft, least of all me. What you did was class. What you just said was class. And it ain't going unrecognized. [Whitmer turns his eyes from Hero to Callis.] Bet you thought I wasn't gonna come out, maybe I forgot … or maybe one of your boys would try to jump me in the hallway. [Manning: That …! I can't believe Callis would stoop that low!] No worries, though, man. We're sending the kids home happy tonight. My match for Final Battle will be for
everything. No interference, no count-outs, no disqualifications … one match, for the future of Ring Of Honor. If your side wins … I'll walk out that door. Forever. But if you lose … [Whitmer smiles.] You and Pearce leave and you
never return, and the company goes back to Cary. [The crowd comes unglued. Callis is so livid, he's trembling.] I'd ask if you're cool with that, but since I get to write my own ticket, you don't get a say. [Whitmer turns to Hero.] What about you? You cool with it?
Hero: Uh … yeah. I mean, sure, why wouldn't I be? I want you to win just to see ol' long, tall and stupid eat a big old [bleep]burger, but, you know, it's not like I'm in the match.
Whitmer: Well, that's kinda what I'm asking. [Hero responds by arching an eyebrow.] See, I was thinking we do this down and dirty … Texas Tornado rules. The Honor Guard's founding fathers, Callis' field general Adam Pearce, and the first lieutenant Claudio Castagnoli versus me and you.
The crowd roars at this. Whitmer awaits Hero's answer patiently; Hero, of course, drags it out, letting the crowd revel in the moment, and even teasing talking a couple times. Callis, of course, tries to “no” it all away, to no avail. Finally, Hero, leaning against a turnbuckle this whole time with his arms crossed, steps up and extends a hand to Whitmer as his answer. The crowd's pop is even louder than before, so deafening that Manning has to yell for the home audience to hear him. Callis can do nothing but stare daggers at Whitmer and Hero. Hero taunts Callis by saying the number of days left until Final Battle and adding “tick, tock” to the end of it with the biggest, smuggest smile on his face.
But the final shot is of Whitmer looking up at the ROH banners hanging alongside the Tron screen. He points to it and yells out “we're taking it back!”.
Quality:
Crowd:
Overall: 73
Overall show rating: 77
Jed Shaffer
~Took a lot longer than I thought. Kids birthday parties, two illnesses, a holiday ... thanks a bunch, life. Beginning-of-month emails will be separate, since there's 74 of them.